Dhont Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,770,000 - $2,100,000
• Assets: $37,730,706
• Grant Range: Large single grants (typically $1.5M - $3.6M for major gifts)
• Geographic Focus: California, primarily Orange County
• Application Policy: Does NOT accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 2700 N Main Street No 750, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(Also listed: 400 N Tustin Ave Ste 380, Santa Ana, CA 92705-3833)

Phone: 714-664-0440

Note: The foundation does not have a public website.

Overview

The Dhont Family Foundation was established in 1999 and became tax-exempt in December 2003. The foundation was founded by Andre and Eveline Dhont, Belgian immigrants who arrived in the 1950s and built their fortune through Orange County real estate investments, starting with a lemon grove and gas station in Anaheim. Currently led by their son Andre G. Dhont as president, the foundation operates as a private family foundation with assets of approximately $37.7 million and makes annual grants ranging from $1.77 million to $2.1 million.

The foundation has established a distinctive philanthropic legacy in Orange County, focusing on documentary filmmaking and media arts education, healthcare career training, medical research, and pediatric cancer care. Their giving pattern typically involves making substantial multi-year commitments to a select number of organizations rather than distributing smaller grants widely. The foundation is particularly known for its transformative support of Chapman University's documentary film programs and its commitment to expanding healthcare access and career opportunities for underserved youth.

Funding Priorities

Major Focus Areas

Documentary Film & Media Arts Education

• Transformational support for Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
• $1.5 million gift (2025) for the Dhont Family Innovation Hub featuring cutting-edge virtual production capabilities
• $3.6 million gift (2011) for the Dhont Family Foundation Documentary Film Center
• Long-term support for Community Voices: Global Stories program, which merges social activism with documentary filmmaking

Healthcare Career Training

• Support for Hope Builders' allied healthcare career training programs (since 2009)
• Programs empowering youth with skills and resources to enter healthcare fields
• Focus on creating pathways to stable employment for young people

Medical Research

• $1 million renewed commitment to USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center for colorectal cancer research (Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz)
• $200,000 for stem cell research for spinal muscular atrophy at UC Irvine
• Support for cancer research initiatives

Pediatric Healthcare

• Named Dhont Family Foundation Outpatient Infusion Center at CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County)
• The center features 18 infusion stations and houses the world's first "Infusionarium" - combining immersive video technology with infusion therapy
• Support for pediatric cancer treatment facilities

Healthcare Facilities & Infrastructure

• $1 million to St. Jude Medical Center Southwest Patient Tower building campaign (2008)
• $2 million to Crosson Cancer Center at Fullerton hospital
• Support for caregiver assistance programs

Giving Pattern

The foundation typically makes one major grant award per year, ranging from approximately $1.77 million to $2.1 million. Their approach favors sustained, multi-year relationships with selected organizations rather than one-time grants to many recipients.

Geographic Focus

Primarily serves Orange County, California, with occasional support for broader Southern California initiatives.

Governance and Leadership

Officers:

• Andre G. Dhont - President (son of founders Andre and Eveline Dhont)
• Denis Lesenne - Secretary
• Dorothy Topp - Chief Financial Officer

Insights from Leadership

Andre Dhont has stated: "Seeing the remarkable stories that have been generated by Chapman students is inspiring. With this new innovation hub, students will be able to expand their creative talents to make their storytelling even more compelling."

The Dean of Chapman's Dodge College has described Andre Dhont as having been "integral to Dodge College," reflecting the foundation's deep, sustained relationships with its grantees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: This foundation does NOT accept unsolicited applications.

The Dhont Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. According to their IRS Form 990-PF filings, the foundation explicitly does not respond to unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership to organizations they have identified and selected.

Organizations cannot submit proposals or applications to this foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

NOTE: The following strategies are based on analysis of the foundation's documented giving patterns, not from specific guidance they have provided:

Given the foundation's pattern of sustained, multi-year relationships with select organizations, potential approaches might include:

1. Deep Engagement in Orange County: The foundation has demonstrated a strong commitment to Orange County-based organizations and initiatives. Organizations with established track records in the region appear more likely to be considered.

2. Alignment with Core Interests: The foundation has shown consistent interest in:

   • Documentary filmmaking and storytelling with social impact
   • Healthcare career training for underserved youth
   • Medical research, particularly cancer and stem cell research
   • Pediatric healthcare facilities and programs

3. Demonstrated Impact: Organizations that have received support (Chapman University, Hope Builders, CHOC, USC, St. Jude Medical Center) are established institutions with proven track records and measurable impact.

4. Multi-Year Vision: The foundation's major grants support transformational projects and programs with long-term sustainability, not short-term initiatives.

5. Connection to Orange County Healthcare or Education: The foundation's history suggests particular interest in healthcare and education initiatives that benefit the Orange County community.

However, it's important to note: There is no evidence that networking or relationship-building strategies will result in funding consideration, as the foundation operates on a purely discretionary basis with preselected organizations.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Patterns

Based on analysis of documented grants, the foundation appears to value:

Transformational Impact Organizations receiving support are implementing projects that fundamentally change their capabilities or reach. The Chapman University grants, for example, established entirely new facilities and programs rather than supporting existing operations.

Innovation in Service Delivery The foundation has supported novel approaches such as:

• The world's first "Infusionarium" at CHOC combining immersive video with infusion therapy
• Virtual production capabilities and AI integration in documentary filmmaking
• Community Voices program linking documentary students with nonprofits for social impact

Youth Empowerment Focus Multiple grants support programs that create pathways for young people:

• Healthcare career training for underserved youth
• Documentary filmmaking opportunities for students
• Programs specifically designed to empower youth with skills and resources

Social Activism and Storytelling The foundation's sustained support for Chapman's Community Voices: Global Stories program demonstrates interest in projects that "merge social activism with documentary filmmaking" and enable stories that "span cultural empathy, creative vision and global citizenship."

Long-term Sustainability Rather than funding individual projects, the foundation invests in infrastructure, endowments, and programs designed for long-term continuation.

Known Recipients as Examples

• Chapman University: Multiple transformational gifts totaling over $5 million for documentary film facilities and programs
• Hope Builders: Ongoing support since 2009 for healthcare career training
• CHOC: Named facility supporting pediatric cancer care
• USC: Renewed commitment for cancer research
• St. Jude Medical Center: Major capital campaign support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: Organizations cannot apply to this foundation. All grants are made to preselected organizations at the foundation's discretion.

• Focus on Transformation: The foundation makes large, transformational gifts rather than numerous small grants, typically one major award per year.

• Orange County Commitment: Strong geographic focus on Orange County, California, particularly organizations serving local communities.

• Three Core Pillars: Documentary filmmaking/media arts education, healthcare career training for youth, and medical research/pediatric healthcare infrastructure.

• Multi-Year Relationships: Evidence suggests the foundation develops sustained relationships with grantees rather than making one-time grants.

• Youth Empowerment: Consistent thread of supporting programs that create opportunities for young people, whether in creative fields or healthcare careers.

• Innovation and Impact: Supported projects often involve innovative approaches or cutting-edge facilities that advance their fields.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Dhont Family Foundation (EIN 33-0846817). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/330846817 (Accessed February 2026)

• Chapman University News. "Dhont Family Foundation Gift Inspires New Era of Innovation at Chapman's Dodge College." April 23, 2025. Available at: https://news.chapman.edu/2025/04/23/dhont-family-foundation-gift-inspires-new-era-of-innovation-at-chapmans-dodge-college/

• Chapman University News. "Dhont Family Foundation establishes documentary center with $3.6 million gift." December 7, 2011. Available at: https://news.chapman.edu/2011/12/07/dhont-family-foundation-establishes-documentary-center-with-3-6-million-gift/

• Hope Builders. "The Dhont Family Foundation Opens Doors to Healthcare Careers." Available at: https://tsjhopebuilders.org/the-dhont-family-foundation-opens-doors-to-healthcare-careers/ (Accessed February 2026)

• USC Stem Cell. "Dhont Family Foundation invigorates USC colon cancer research." Available at: https://stemcell.keck.usc.edu/dhont-family-foundation-invigorates-usc-colon-cancer-research/ (Accessed February 2026)

• Orange County Register. "Dhont Foundation boosts St. Jude building campaign." July 25, 2008. Available at: https://www.ocregister.com/2008/07/25/dhont-foundation-boosts-st-jude-building-campaign/

• CHOC Children's Hospital. "Infusionarium comes to CHOC Children's." Available at: https://health.choc.org/worlds-first-infusionarium-comes-choc-childrens/ (Accessed February 2026)

• CHOC Children's Hospital. "Hyundai Cancer Institute Clinic & Dhont Family Infusion Center." Available at: https://choc.org/locations/hyundai-cancer-institute-clinic/ (Accessed February 2026)

• Candid Foundation Directory. "The Dhont Family Foundation." Available at: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=DOHN001 (Accessed February 2026)

• GuideStar Profile - Dhont Family Foundation. Available at: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/33-0846817 (Accessed February 2026)

• Instrumentl. "The Dhont Family Foundation | Santa Ana, CA | 990 Report." Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/dhont-family-foundation (Accessed February 2026)